08 Can I go barefoot even if I have flat feet?
Description
This article is from the Living Barefoot FAQ, by Paul J. Lucas with numerous contributions by others.
08 Can I go barefoot even if I have flat feet?
Basically, if you can walk barefoot and it doesn't hurt, then yes.
Many barefooters were born with arches lower than the "ideal"
(whatever that is) but still enjoy the pleasures of going barefoot.
For someone with low arches or outright flat feet, habitual
shoe-wearing often exacerbates the problem due to weak feet (see Q7).
Additionally, forcing feet into shoes with arch supports against their
natural shape can be uncomfortable and sometimes painful.
In contrast, going barefoot strengthens the muscles, ligaments, and
tendons in the feet and helps to counter low arches or flat feet. Some
barefooters have reported that, once they started going barefoot
regularly, their arches raised almost if not entirely to "normal"
levels.
Why do many podiatrists push arch supports and corrective footwear?
Part of it has to do with what they were taught; but, just because
something is in a textbook doesn't make it right or necessary. Many
people tend to want perfect bodies: perfect faces, noses, buns, etc.,
and this tendency can extend to feet which equates to high arches.
Many podiatrists are catering to this tendency.
Bottom line: If you can walk barefoot and it doesn't hurt, don't worry
about it. (If it does hurt, however, do see a podiatrist.)
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